I was listening to an interview on protests in Georgia (the country) at the end of April.
This article skips over the full weight of this seemingly innocuous (heck, even seemingly valuable!) disclosure law for organizations with 20%+ foreign funding, but the key is that Russia in 2012 used a similar law as a wedge to disrupt civil society.
So locals know it's a dogwhistle. It invites *more*, not less sowing of disruption in favour of foreign interests.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/17/georgia-russia-how-dream-of-freedom-unravelled-foreign-agents-law
Something Adam Curtis described in one of his docs has stuck with me for years:
One way Putin's Russia solidified was through investment in political action groups across the spectrum. The key was to discourage citizens from feeling they could trust any initiative for change to be genuine. That's how you keep people in line: Believe me! Everyone else is lying to you!
It's been a good tactic for many operators (including Russia with other countries!) ever since. And we just aren't ready for it.
Then again, what *are* we ready for? 🙃
Good morning and good brew to you! ☕️